Swabbing device



April 24, 1962 o. R. MONTGOMERY v 3,030,914

SWA-BBING DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hm N t o; J

Apri] 24 1962 o. R. MONTGOMERY SWABBING DEVICE INVENTOR.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 25, 1957 April 24, 1962 o. R. MONTGOMERYSWABBING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 25, 1957 INVENTOR.

April 24, 1952 o. R. MONTGOMERY SWABBING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledSept. 25, 195'? INVENTOR.

April 24, 1952 l o. R. MONTGOMERY 3,030,914

swABBING DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 NVEN TOR. @am WW 'tat The present invention is directed to a new and improvedmechanical swabbing arrangement which may be in the formy of anattachment `for use in the conditioning and/or treatment of leather orleather-like material during mechanical, yautomatic conveyance of thematerial along a treatment or conditioning line.

The swabbing or conditioning arrangement of the present arrangement isparticularly adapted for use with leather or leather-like material inconditioning or treating the same and the following description of theembodiment of the invention disclosed Will deal with this particularuse. However, it should be understood that the particular swabbing ormaterial treating arrangement disclosed is adaptable for variable usesparticularly Where a uniform rubbing, brushing or polishing action isnecessary in the treating, conditioning or linishing of variousmaterials.

In leather nishing, particularly in connection with the manufacture ofshoe tops, jackets, seat covers, furniture covers, etc., the applicationof a smooth coat of leather `finishing material accompanied by thedesired degree of penetra-tion of the material into the leather isessential in providing top grade products. Side leather normally used inthe manufacture of top leather products is .prepared for finishingtreatment in the conventional manner by subjecting the same tode-hairing, soaking, tanning, softening, bleaching and sanding, as Wellas other widely practiced preparation operations. Upon reaching thefinal nishing operation, the leather has a bleached appearance inpreparation vfor dye coating as well as sealing `and plating.

Conventional finishing operations include dye coating -wherein thecoloring material is applied by brush, spray or other processing and thecoated leather is allowed to dry after which the pigmented nishingcompositions are applied thereto and hand swabbed into the leather Whilewet. `Finishing compositions generally include a binder, water, resinand a pigmented solution ofthe desired color or colors. The compositionmust be capable of provid- 4ing the leather with la smooth, even,streak-free surface following drying of the same.

Penetration of the finishing composition into the :leather is one of themost important requirements of the -finishing process as thispenetration materially affects the iinal grade of the leather as judgedby smoothness of the texture thereof. Following the finishing treatment,the leather in substantially all instances-is subjected to a platingtreatment wherein a heated press conditions the leather `to impartthereto a smooth, bright bonding surface in a known manner forsubsequent finish coating. :More vtinish is then swabbed -into theleather with each subsequent finishing coating following plating thereofVforming a bond with the vpreceding coating. In other words, thefinishing process Ais repeated to any desired extent depending upon vtheultimate use of the leather product. Following the final hot platingstep, a coating or a number of coatings of lacquer 4emulsion is appliedto the finished leather to seal the finish and provide furtherwater-proofing action.

The Vpresent invention is primarily directed to improving theapplication of the linishing composition t provide a smooth, even,streak-free vfinish accompanied `by proper penetration of the finishingcomposition into the 3,036,914 Pateniled AP?.-

leather material. Hand swabbing is generally relied npon during thisimportant operation and it is diliicult to obtain an even coat of finishon leather due to variances in individual swabbing techniques. In manyinstances the results of the finishing process are not at all desirableand the resulting product isdowngraded with an accompanying loss to themanufacturer. An improperly applied finish exhibits the tendency toblotch or blossom during plating arising lfrom the hand swabbersinability to apply an even stroke and pressure over the entirearea ofthe leather under treatment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedmechanical swabbing device capable of automatic operation theapplication of a high quality finish to leather material, the devicemaking use or a plurality of endless swabbing belts mounted and drivenin such a manner as 'to evenly spread the finishing compositionthroughout the surface of the leather material under treatment `andevenly work the composition into the leather material to provide forproper" and efficient penetration.

A further object is to provide Ka new and improved swabbing deviceparticularly adapted for attachment to a conventional form or" conveyorwhich continuously delivers leather into and out of operativeassociation with the swabbing device -for finishing treatment thereby,the device making use of a plurality of endless swabbing belts lwhich4are drivingly interconnected for alternate' directional opera-tion tosmoothly and evenly apply a `finishing composition to the continuouslymoving' leather and thus overcome the difficulties and problems4 arising4from V.hand application of such compositions to'leatherl duringYtenance and replacement purposes, each of .the belts being improved inand ofY themselves by use of separately defined zones of plushwhichlfunction to evenly spread in a controllable manner the finishingcomposition applied to the leather undergoing treatment.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent -from -thelfollowing rdetailed description made in conjunction with the drawingwherein: i

FiG. l is a plan view of the swabbing device of the present inventionmounted in its operative position rela tive to a leather vmaterialconveyor;

FIG. 2 is a view Ysimilar to FIG. l villustrating movement of theswabbing belt assemblies of the device relative to the Imain framelthereof for maintenance or belt replacement purposes;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the swabbing beltassemblies; i

FiG, 4 is a yfragmentary elevation in partial section of a swabbing beltassembly ytaken generally Ialong yline 4-4 of FlG. 3; i

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective of a frame member forming a part ofeach of the swabbing belt assemblies, certain parts of the bearingmembersof their-arme member being illustrated in exploded perspective;VUM

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective of a sub-frame assembly forming a partof each swabbing belt assembly;

FEG. 7 is van enlarged perspective of onetype of bearing forming a partof the sub-frameassembly;V

FIG, 8 'is an enlarged perspective of a different `type of bearingforming appart of the frame structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the combined-frame members of FIGS. 5 and 6illustrating operational functioning of the same;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the main frame member ofthe swabbing device illustrating the amounting of the same relative to aleather moving conveyor assembly;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of one end of aswabbing assembly taken generally along line 11`11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken generallyalong line 12--12 of FIG. 2 and illustrating operative functioning ofthe swabbing belt assembly;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the locking meansforming a part of each swabbing belt assembly;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective of one of the swabbing beltsillustrated in its operative position; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the swabbing beltillustrating the structural features thereof and the manner in which thesame is mounted in a swabbing belt assembly.

In FIG. 1 the new and improved swabbing device 20 of the presentinvention is illustrated mounted in its operative position on aconventional form of material conveyor structure 21 which includes asupporting frame 22, a continuous belt supporting plate 23 attached tothe frame 22 and a continuous moving conveyor belt 24 mounted in slidingrelation on the plate 23. The direction of travel of the belt 24 isindicated by arrows and this belt carries a plurality of pieces 25 ofleather material continuously therealong and under the swabbing device20 for finishing treatment thereby.

The swabbing device 20 generally includes a main frame 26 which isprovided with a plurality of transversely and angularly directedslot-like openings 27 in which are received swabbing belt assembliesgenerally designated by the numerals 28, 29 and 30. The main frame 26carries at the forward end thereof an integral projecting frame portion31 having mounted thereon an electric motor 32 of known type. The motor32 is drivingly connected by a split-shaft coupler 33 to a roller 34which forms a part of the belt assembly 28. The roller 34 cooperateswith an idler roller 35 to carry a swabbing belt 36 therebetween -foroperation in the direction of the arrow illustrated in connection withthe belt assembly 28. The driven roller 34 is carried by a drive shaft36 which at one end is coupled by the coupler 33 to the motor 32 and atits opposite end is drivingly connected by a pair of meshed gears 37 and38 and a pair of pulleys 39 and 40 coupled by a drive belt 41 to aroller shaft 42 of the belt assembly 29 to drive a roller 43 forming apart thereof. An idler roller 44 cooperates with the driven roller 43 tomount a swabbing belt 45 of the belt assembly 29 which is driven in thedirection of the arrow indicated thereon. The opposite end of the shaft42 is similarly drivingly connected by a pair of meshed gears 46 and 47,a pair of pulleys 48 and 49, and an interconnecting drive belt 50 to adrive shaft 51 with a roller 52 forming a part of the belt assembly 30.An idler roller 53 cooperates with the roller 52 to carry the swabbingbelt 54 which is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon.

With the arrangement described, the single motor 32 drives a pluralityof swabbing belt assemblies each of which is drivingly interconnectedwith adjacent assemblies. The assemblies 28, 29 and 30 are transverselyangularly arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the main frame26 and conveyor 21 to preferably locate the swabbing belts atapproximately 60 relative to the direction of movement of the leathermaterial 25. The belt assemblies are mounted in parallel relation to oneanother and are operated in alternate opposite directions for purposesto be described. The main frame 26 carries at the forward end thereof apair of spaced rollers 55 and 56 which are suitably mounted on shaftscarried by the main frame 26 in openings therein for contact with theleather material 25 near opposite edges thereof during movement of thesame below the swabbing device 20. The rollers and 56 are not driven butare arranged to operate as idlers in frictional engagement with theedges of the leather material 25 passing thereunder in order to smoothout the edges thereof and prevent roll-up of the same and thus assureproper and complete swabbing of the entire hide during contact of thesame with the swabbing belt assemblies 28, 29 and 30.

In FIGS. 3-6 the details of the swabbing belt assembly 29 areillustrated, it being understood that the remaining assemblies 28 and 30are similarly constructed. The assembly 29 includes a separaterectangular frame member 57 which, as shown in FIG. 5, is formed from aplurality of U-shaped channel beams arranged to define side grooveswhich open outwardly in a radial direction. A pair of side beams 58 and59 are interconnected at their ends by a pair of end beams 60 and 61,each of which are provided at opposite ends thereof with inwardlydirected notches 62 provided for the purpose of mounting the frame 57 ina slot 27 of the main frame 26. Referring to FIG. 10, the sideconstruction of the slots 27 is illustrated as including L-shapedmembers 63 each of which is provided with a bottom foot 64 extendinginwardly and over which a frame member 57 of a swabbing belt assembly isslidingly received. The vertical wall of each side member 63 hasintegrally formed thereon in spaced relation to the foot 64 thereof acontinuous blocklike rib 65 which is received in the end slots 62 of theend frame member 6l) and 61 when the frame 57 is mounted on the mainframe 26. This particular arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 and it will beunderstood that each frame member 57 of each belt assembly 28, 29 and 30is slidably mounted in a slot 27 in the main frame 26.

Referring to FIG. 5, each separate frame member 57 carries a pivotal rod66 along one side thereof which is journaled at its ends by suitablebearing members 67 mounted on the end frame members 60 and 61. The rod66 is spaced slightly above the top surface of the side member 58 toreceive thereabout the collar portions 68 of a pair of bearing members69, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 7. The collar portion 68 ofeach bearing member 69 is xedly attached to the rod 66 as shown in FIGS.3, 9, ll and 12 to pivot or rotate with the same relative to the rodbearings 67 carried by the frame 57. As particularly shown in FIG. 6,the bearing portion 69 is arranged to journal a shaft such as the shaft42 of the driven roller 43 of the belt assembly 29, this shaft 42 beingheld in place by a sub-frame assembly generally designated by thenumeral 70 in FIG. 6. Each sub-frame assembly includes a pair of sidebars 71 which at their ends support the driven shaft, such as shaft 42,and the idler shaft, such as shaft 72 in FIG. 6 carrying the idlerroller 44 of the belt assembly 29. Cross frame bars 73 extendintermediate the side bars 71 to rigidity the same and further strengthis provided lby centrally located diagonal bars 74.

As previously described, the shaft 42 carries at one end outwardly ofthe sub-frame 70 a driving gear 46 and at the other end a driving pulley40 having associated therewith a driving belt 41 mounted at its oppositeend on a pulley 39 which is rotatably carried on a lixed shaft 75journaled in the bars 71 and 74 of the sub-frame structure 70. Thepulley 39 is either integrally formed with or drivingly attached to therotatable gear 38 carried on the end ofthe shaft 75 which is arranged tomesh with the gear 37 on the driven shaft 36 as illustrated in FIG. 1.The shafts 42 and 75 are braced by ya bar 76 extending therebetweenwhich is rigidly attached to the sub-frame 70 by bars 77.

As particularly shown in FIG. 3, the sub-frame 70 including the rollershafts 42 and 72 is mounted on the frame member 57 within a slot 27 ofthe main frame 26. The collars 68 hold one end of each of the shafts 42and 72 relative to the rod 66 for vertical pivotal movementthereassocia'.

with in a manner to be described. The opposite ends of thc shafts 42 and'72 are each journaled in a split-bearing '78 ofthe type illustrated indetail in FIGS. 5 and 8. Each of these bearings includes a removablebearing section 79 which cooperates with a fixed `base portion to definethe journal housing for the shafts 42 and '72. A pair of locking boltstid extend through the removable portion 79 to lock the same relative tothe fixed portion and hold the shafts 42 and 72 in their yoperativepositions. The portions 79 are removed during use of the swabbing beltiassemblies for belt replacement and maintenance purposes in a manner tobe described.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the rollers 43 and 44 carrythereabout an inner endless friction belt Si having mounted about theouter surface thereof a swabbing belt such as the belt 45 of theassembly 29. The pair of belts Si and 45 are tensioned about the rollers43 and 44 by a tensioning roller 82 which is carried by a shaft 83journaled between pivotal arms 84 which in 4turn are pivotally attachedto the side bars 7l of the subframe '70. Intermediate the ends of eacharm 84 a tensioning spring 35 is attached, the opposite ends of eachspring S5 being fixedly attached in a suitable manner to one of thecrossbar members 7? of the sub-fname 7). The springs 85 constantly urgethe arms 84 and roller 82 in an upward direction to tension the combinedbelts Ell and 45 relative to the rollers '43 and 44.

ln FIGS. 1l 4and 12 the swabbing function of each belt assembly 23, 29and Sti is shown in detail. For purposes of description the functioningof the assembly 29 is illustrated, it being understood that all of theassemblies function in exactly the same marmer. The mounting of theassembly 29 in the slot 27 is accomplished in such ya manner that thebelt carrying rollers of the assembly are located within the slot 27 andthe swabbing belt 1l-5 is positioned with the outer bottom surfacethereof in engagement with the top surface of the leather material 25oartried on the con-veyor belt 24. Continuous rubbing or brushingconstituting the swabbing `action is automatically obtained duringmovement of the leather material 25 beneath the swabbing device 2t). Theplate 23 of the leather material conveyor 2l provides a solid supportfor the conveyor belt 24 andthe leather material 25 carried thereby. Theconveyor belt Z4 is preferably formed from eponge rubber material toprovide slight give of a nature which enhances proper swabbing action ofthe leather material. The conveyor belt 24 is preferably kept wet withWater to prevent the leather material 25 carried thereon from slidingrelative thereto. The friction belt Si is preferably formed from spongerubber material similar to that of the conveyor belt 24 to provide aresilient backing to the swabbing belt 45 during use of the same whilefrictionally holding the swabbing belt 45 against slippage. Thefinishing composition is applied to the leather material 25 prior totreatment of the same by the swabbing device Ztl and application of thecomposition may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as b-yspraying.

ln order to maintain the swabbing composition on the leather material 25and further evenly spread the same throughout the surface of thematerial in a mechanical and automatic manner, the swabbing belts usedare formed in a new and novel manner which constitutes a part of thepresent invention. ln FIGS. 14 and 15 the mounting of each swabbing beltand the structural features of the same are shown in detail. Eachswabbing belt, such as the beit 45, is formed from an innerplush-retaining weave or mat Se of known type which is in contact withthe surface of the friction belt Si. Sseparately defined areas 87 ofplush attached by themat 86 constitute a unique feature of the presentinvention whereby highly eiiicient swabbing action can be obtained witheven spreading and full use of the finishing composition duringapplication to the leather material.

As illustrated, the swa'obing belt 45 includes a plurality of separatetriangular plush areas 37 which are arranged to evenly rub the finishingcomposition into the leather material while spreading the same throughthe surface of the leather material to provide a streak-free, finishedappearance. The direction of movement of the belt illustrated in FIG. 14is indicated by the arrows and it will be appreciated that the forwardpoints of each triangular area 87 upon contacting quantities offinishing composition will cause the same to be spread evenly throughoutthe width of the belt 45. As previously described, the other belts 36and 54 are similarly constructed and alternate directional operation ofthe same, as illustrated in FIG. l, provides for complete spreading andeven distribution of the finishing composition throughout the entirearea of the leather material 25. Any number of triangular areas 87 maybe utilized for the purposes described depending upon the size ofleather material under treatmeut.

The structural features of each belt assembly described above providefor the type of swabbing action referred to and further allow ready andefficient swabbing belt changing for replacement necessitated by, forexample, a change in color of the pigmentation of the finishingcomposition. In other words, a set of swabbing belts are used with eachswabbing device, each of the belts being mounted in operative positionfor use with a specific finishing composition of a certain color.

As previously described, each of the frame members 57 of the separatebelt assemblies 2S, 29 and 30 are slidably mounted in its respectiveslot 27. By this arrangement the drive interconnection of the parallelbelt assemblies can be readily established by locating each assembly ingear intermeshing relation with an adjacent assembly. To disengage thegearing of the interrelated belt assemblies, each assembly is slidablewithin its respective slot 27 into the positions shown in FIG. 2. inthese positions it will be noted that the gears are disengaged and thesplit-shaft coupling 33 associated with the motor 32 is separated tocompletely disengage the drive of the belt assembly 28. Further rearwardsliding `as viewed in FIG. 2 allows each assembly to be movedsubstantially to one side of the main frame 2o? for ready accessibilityto the belts and mechanical elements of the same.

To allow quick and efficient belt changing without appreciable loss ofoperating time, Vthe pivotal mounting of the sub-frame 7G of each beltassembly as previously described is provided. Separation of theremovable bearing portions 79 of each bearing structure 78 frees one endof each of the shafts 42 and '72 and thereby frees one complete side ofthe sub-frame 70. The mounting of the bearings 69 on the pivotal rod 66by use of the collars 68 allows the remaining side of the subframe 7i?to rotate about the axis of the rod 66 `and permits the unattached sideof the sub-frame 70 to be lifted vertically upwardly along an arcuatepath as shown in FlG. 9. The illustration of FlG. 9 is reversed ascompared with the view of FIG. 3 in order to better illustrate thepivotal upward tilting of the entire sub-frame 70 for belt replacementor changing purposes.

With the sub-frame "itl in the position illustrated in FlG. 9, theswabbing belt 45 as well as the friction belt `Si may readily be removedfrom association with the rollers 43 and d4 and a new belt replacedthereon for use with a finishing composition of a different color. FIG.l2 on the right-hand side thereof illustrates the tilting of thesub-frame itl about the axis of the rod 66 with adequate clearance beingprovided-relative to the main frame 2d and the gear 37 to provide forangular positioning of the sub-frame 7@ at slightly greater than 45.Upon completion of the belt changing operation, the sub-frame 7@ ispivotally returned to its original position with the removable bearingparts 79 being replaced and the studs Sti thereof tightened to completere-assembling of the bearings '78. Each of the belt assemblies are -thenin condition for sliding movement back into their respective slots 7 27and for driving re-engagement to resume operation of the swabbingdevice.

In order to hold each belt assembly in driving engagement with anladjacent belt assembly, removable locking pins 88, one of which isshown in detail in FIG. 13, are carried at each end of the frame 57 ofeach belt assembly. Each end frame member 60 and 61 as previouslydescribed is channel-shaped and, as particularly shown in FIG. 13, isprovided with a top flange 89 and a bottom flange 90 both of which areradially outwardly directed. The pin -83 is received through aligneddrilled holes 91 in each of the flanges S9 and 90 and can be droppedtherethrough for seating in a drilled hole 92 carried in the foot 64 ofthe adjacent L-shaped side member 63 of -a slot 27. The bottom endportion of each pin 88 is provided with a projection 93 of reduceddiameter which is readily received in the drilled hole 92 once thelatter is aligned with the holes 91. The hole 92 is located along thelength of the slot 27 at a point where the gears carried by the beltassemblies become meshed. Thus, sliding of the belt assemblies bymovement of the frame 57 along the slot 27 will ultimately result inautomatic dropping of the pins 88 by reason of their weight into theholes 92 upon alignment therewith. At this point each belt assembly isproperly located within the main frame 26.

In FIG. 3 it will be noted that each end frame member 60 and 61 of theseparate frame 57 carries a locking pin 88 adjacent the side framemember 59 so `as to fully lock the belt assembly against movement withinthe slot 27. The location of the pins S8 further prevents interferenceby the same with tilting of the sub-frame 7G when the belt assembly issufficiently withdrawn'from its slot 27 for belt changing purposes. Eachpin $8 may be attached by a link chain 94 to its respective end framemember 60 or 61 to prevent misplacement of the pin during the beltchanging operation.

Use of the mechanically operated swabbing attachment of the presentinvention results in a smooth finished appearance in the treated leathermaterial with efficient streak-free and even penetration of thefinishing composition therein. Subsequent plating and further finishingmay be carried out to the degree desired without downgrading of thefinal product. An efficient bond is obtained between several coats offinishing material with the plating operation providing a smooth, brightbonding surface for each subsequent coat of finish. Operation of theswabbing belts at an angle relative to the direction of travel of theleather material and in alternate directions provides for theapplication of an even, smooth coat of finishing material on the leathermaterial. The separately defined zones of plush formed on each of thebelts further aids in obtaining the desired finishing compositioncoverage of each leather piece. The belt of each separate assembly isreadily changeable during use of the swabbing device and for thispurpose the assembly 30 is first slidably moved horizontally outwardlyof its slot 27 followed by sequential sliding movement of the assemblies29 and 28. Once proper disengagement of the driving gears of the variousassemblies is obtained, each individual assembly may be tilted upwardlyfor belt changing purposes. The swabbing device disclosed may be usednot only for finishing composition applications but for brushing orwiping finished pigmented surfaces following the sueding of leather toremove suede dust. Obviously, the swabbing device disclosed is alsoreadily adaptable for other uses.

Many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore setforth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicatedin the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for use in swabbing or treating moving leather orleather-like material, said device including a 8 plurality of endlesstreating belts mounted for operation in alternately opposite directionsat an angle of approximately 60 to the direction of the movement of saidmaterial, each of said belts being provided with material contactingplush portions of triangular outline which are arranged to maintain andcontrollably spread treating compositions on said material duringtreatment thereof.

2. A device for use in swabbing or treating moving leather orleather-like material, said device including a plurality of endlesstreating belts mounted in parallel relation for operation in alternatelyopposite directions at an angle of approximately 60 to the direction ofmovement of said material, each of said belts being provided withmaterial contacting plush portions of triangular outline which arearranged to maintain and controllably spread treating compositions onsaid material during treatment thereof.

3. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in theconditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including amain frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least oneof which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivinglyconnected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt beingmounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said mainframe into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of anadjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames inroller interconnected relation.

4. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in theconditioning of leather or leather-like material, said device includinga main Iframe in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least oneof which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivinglyconnected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt beingmounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable into saidmain frame into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers ofan adjacent separate frame, means for locking said separate frames inroller interconnected relation, and means carried by said main frame`for driving said belts in alternately opposite directions, each of saidbelts having separately defined zones of plush for Contact with thematerial on the conveyor to maintain and evenly spread conditioningcompositions thereon.

5. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in theconditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including amain frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least oneof which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivinglyconnected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt beingmounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said mainframe into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of anadjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames inroller interconnected relation, each of said separate frames includingshaft mounting means for the rollers thereof which are adjustable toprovide for arcuate vertical movement of said rollers out of substantialassociation with their separate frame for belt changing purposes.

6. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in theconditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including amain frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least oneof which is driven,

.rif

the driven roller of each belt being drivingly connected to that of anadjacent belt, the rollers of each belt being mounted in a separateframe whichl is transversely slidable in said main frame into and out ofoperative interconnection with the rollers of an adjacent separateframe, and means for locking said separate frames in rollerinterconnected relation, the rollers of each separate frame beingmounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame,each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotalrod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft beingjournaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readilydetachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame androllers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes.

7. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor 'for use in theconditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including amain frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least oneof which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivinglyconnected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt beingmounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said mainframe into and out of operative interconnection With the rollers of anadjacent separate frame, means for locking said separate frames inroller interconnected relation, the rollers of each Separate frame beingmounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame,each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotalrod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft beingjournaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readilydetachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame androllers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes, andmeans carried by said main frame for driving said belt in alternatelyopposite directions, each of said belts having triangular zones of plushfor contact with the material on the conveyor to maintain and evenlyspread the conditioning compositions thereon.

8. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in theconditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including amain frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at least oneof which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivinglyconnected to that of `an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt beingmounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said mainframe into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of anadjacent separate frame, and means for locking said separate frames inroller interconnected relation, the rollers of each separate frame beingmounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame,each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotalrod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft beingjournaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readilydetachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame androllers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes, saidmain frame carrying spaced material contacting rollers near an endthereof in advance of said belts relative to the direction of themovement of the material to maintain the material in flattened conditionduring conditioning thereof. I

9. A swabbing device for mounting on an endless conveyor for use in theconditioning of leather or leatherlike material, said device including amain frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts are operativelymounted in transverse angular relation relative to the longitudinal axisthereof, each of `said belts being mounted on spaced rollers at leastone of which is driven, the driven roller of each belt being drivinglyconnected to that of an adjacent belt, the rollers of each belt beingmounted in a separate frame which is transversely slidable in said mainframe into and out of operative interconnection with the rollers of anadjacent separate frame, means for locking said separate frames inroller interconnected relation, the rollers of each separate frame beingmounted on rotatable shafts which are interconnected by a sub-frame,each shaft being mounted at one end by a bearing carried by a pivotalrod mounted on said separate frame, the other end of each shaft beingjournaled by a sectionalized bearing a part of which is readilydetachable to provide for vertical upward pivoting of said sub-frame androllers relative to said separate frame for belt changing purposes, saidmain frame carrying spaced material contacting rollers near an endthereof in advance of said belts relative to the direction of movementof the material to maintain the material in flattened condition duringconditioning thereof, belt tensioning means carried by each of saidsub-frames, and means carried by said main frame for driving said beltin alternately opposite directions, each of said belts having triangularZones of plush for contact with material on the conveyor to maintainevenly spread conditioning compositions thereon.

l0. A device for use in swabbing or treating moving leather orleather-like material, said device including a plurality of endlesstreating belts mounted in parallel relation for operation in alternatelyopposite directions at an angle to the direction of movement of saidmaterial, spaced material contacting rollers associated with said beltsin advance thereof relative to the direction of movement of the materialto maintain the materal in flattened condition during treatment thereof,each of said belts being provided with material contacting plushportions of triangular outline which are arranged to maintain andcontrollably spread treating compositions on said material duringtreatment thereof.

ll. An endless belt for use in a device for automatic swabbing ortreating of leather or leather like material, said belt being providedwith triangular zones of material contacting plush on the outer surfacethereof, said zones being arranged in tip-to-base relation to maintainand controllably spread treating composition on said material duringtreatment thereof.

l2. An endless belt for use in a device for automatic swabbing ortreating of leather or leather-like material, said belt being providedwith triangular zones of material contacting plush on the outer surfacethereof, said zones being arranged in tip-to-base relation to maintainand controllably spread treating composition on said material duringtreatment thereof, said triangular Zones each eing in the shape of aright triangle with the base thereof extending transversely across saidbelt and the right-angled side thereof extending along an edge portionof said belt.

13. In a swabbing device designed for mounting on an endless conveyorfor use in the conditioning of leather or leather-like material, saiddevice including a frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts areoperatively mounted in transverse acute angular relation relative to thelongitudinal axis and to the direction of operation thereof, and meanscarried by said frame for driving said belts in alternately oppositedirections, the provision on each of said belts of separately definedtriangular Zones of plush, said Zones being arranged in tip-to-baserelation to maintain and controllably spread treating composition onsaid material during treatment thereof.

14. In a swabbing device designed for mounting on an endless conveyorfor use in the conditioning of leather or leather-like material, saiddevice including a frame in which a plurality of swabbing belts areoperatively mounted in transverse acute angular relation relative to thelongitudinal axis and to the direction of operation thereof, and meanscarried by said frame for driving said belts in alternately oppositedirections, the provision on each of said belts of separately definedtriangular zones of plush, said zones being arranged in tip-to-baserelation to maintain and controllably spread treating composition onsaid material during treatment thereof, said triangular zones each beingin the shape of a right triangle with the base thereof extendingtransversely across said belt and the right-angled side thereofextending along an edge portion of said belt.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSKasmeier Jan. 22, 1901 McDonald July 15, 1919 Upham et al. Apr. 28, 1925Broadston May 24, 1932 McCarthy Dec. 4, 1934 Faller Nov. 13, 1951

